DROUGHT AND DAIRY PRODUCTION

Evening Star, Issue 19803, 29 February 1928, Page 5

DROUGHT AND DAIRY PRODUCTION

Hi. LOSES MUCH MONEY

[Special to tee ‘Stab.’]

WELLINGTON, February 28. “At present it certainly looks as though we shall be down at least it) per cent, on our estimate of the season’s production in the dairying industry,” said Mr T. C. Brash, secretary of the Dairy Control Board, m comment on the statement ot Mr w. Grounds that the return to the dairy farmers will be two millions lower than it would have been with an average season. “This dry spell has cost the country much money, tor it looked as if we should bo at least 10 per cent, up on last season’s figures. “Every year we have been expoiting about 10 per cent, more than the previous season, and we frame om annual estimates of shipping space required on the basis of such an increase. With the wonderful spring this season it looked as though we should have the biggest and most successful season on record. However, it is still too caily to say what the outcome will be, tor at present no one is buying butter, but cheese prices look like-going .up. itven to-day BJd is being paid lor cheese, while the market price for butter is from 166 sto 16Ss. Last season the first dairy pool returned 163 s lOd lor nrstorade butter and the second pool Ibis 3d. First-grade whey butter returned ]sos, and the average of the cheese pen! was 86s Bd. “The drought is broken now, but the rains have come too late to afreet the position.”